Broken #4 (The Broken Series - Book #4) Read online

  I liked the process of developing the negatives. I liked the smell of the chemicals used. It was like being in a science class. Students took for granted just how easy it was to download images and manipulate them. It was truly an art to be able to manipulate photographs in a darkroom.

  The professor had shown us images she had done herself, and then one by one she showed us how we could create similar images with different techniques. It was no easy task, but it was fun to learn these methods, and I knew if I took on photography as my life choice, that I would design my own darkroom to use in my career as a photographer.

  The class had been stimulating in a variety of ways, and I couldn't wait to tell Jet all about it. It was funny to even think that―to be able to go to him and talk about things I enjoyed in my life. To even want to do that was even more extraordinary; I still couldn't believe I was now Jet's girlfriend. That I had even agreed to it. It was an exciting thing, and yes, even more so knowing that I could now go to him and discuss my day, and what had made the day so wonderful.

  When class ended, I collected my things together and put them away in my bag. I packed away my camera and the equipment I had to go along with it.

  My phone chirped, and I checked it finding a message from Julie on it. She wanted to meet for coffee before her next class and wondered if I was available. I chuckled to myself; yes, I was definitely available to talk to her. I messaged her back and told her I would meet her at the cafe downtown, and that I was just leaving class. It would take me about 15 minutes to get there.

  I put my bags over my shoulder and headed out of the classroom.

  When I arrived at the coffee shop I was still buzzing from the class I had just attended, I almost wanted to head back and do it all over again.

  Julie was already at a table, and she had ordered us both coffee. The weather was growing colder so coffee was always a welcome enjoyment. I sat down across from her and smiled. She smiled back as she stirred her coffee.

  “What did you order me?”

  “Some hazelnut coffee; it's supposed to be fantastic.”

  I nodded as I added cream to it. I figured it might already be sweet due to the hazelnut, so I avoided sugar for the time being.

  I took a sip of the coffee, and it seared my throat, but it was delicious. I decided to add a bit of sugar, as the hazelnut did not change the bitterness of the coffee.

  I looked up at Julie. “So what the heck did you do last night?”

  Julie looked to be taken aback, but I knew she wasn't. “Whatever do you mean?”

  I laughed. “Oh I don't know, Julie. One minute I'm out trying to have a drink with my friend, and then next thing I know she has disappeared, leaving me alone with a man who has stalked me in more ways than one.”

  “I think you were in pretty good hands; otherwise I would not have left you there.”

  I smiled softly. “Julie, why did you do it? I know you meant well, but what happened to the girl code? Why would you go to Jet and tell him about Tom? I did not want him to know anything about him.”

  Julie frowned, looking sad. “I didn't think you would see it that way. I'm sorry if I did anything that made you feel like you can't trust me. That wasn't my intention.”

  “Well, what was your intention?”

  “I was trying to get you out of your funk. I didn't really believe you needed another drunken night, another hangover. I knew Jet would protect you, and he did, didn't he?”

  “You could have just told him that I was sad. Why did you have to tell him about Tom? I found it embarrassing.”

  “I'm sorry.”

  “And then you left me there with Jet, whether I wanted to be there or not.”

  “You didn't want to be with him?”

  “That's not the point Julie; you just left me there.”

  “Are you mad at me or something?”

  I sighed, taking a sip of my coffee; it was liquid perfection.

  “No, I'm not mad at you. I just want to know what you were thinking, Julie. And in the future I want to know that you have my back, and not Jet’s.”

  “Oh, Natalie, of course I have your back.”

  “Well, I don't feel like you did last night at all.”

  “You should be with Jet. That's all I meant to do that night. I wanted to have you focus on him instead of freaking out about Tom. You shouldn't have even been worrying about Tom. He's an asshole, and you deserve far better than him. Maybe Jet isn't perfect, and maybe he doesn't have the best reputation, but I believe that he cares a great deal about you. In fact, I have reason to believe he may adore you.”

  “Oh, come on, Julie. I admit the guy likes me, but let’s not get carried away here.”

  Julie sighed shaking her head. “I am your best friend, Natalie, and you are mine. Please don't ever think I will put some guy above you. I was trying to protect you from Tom, and maybe I didn't handle it very well, but my intention was not to harm you in any way.”

  “I know. I just wish you hadn't have left. Why couldn't we all have just hung out? What if Jet had gone back to Katie? I would have been there alone.”

  “You and I both know that Jet has no interest in Katie. Yes, she was pawing on him last night, but as soon as he saw me walking toward him, he dropped his hands from her immediately, and looked around for you. And when I explained to him what happened, he went to the bar immediately without even saying anything to Katie, not even goodbye. He walked away without looking back at her. And that girl was pissed! She glared at me before she went to talk to that roommate of his.”

  I stared into my coffee, unsure of where to go after that moment. I was confused about the events that happened that night. Not only that, but I wasn't sure how I felt about Julie's involvement. She was my friend. I knew that she would do anything for me. I just didn't like being forced into situations that were beyond my control. Yes, everything turned out for the best, but what if it hadn't? What if Jet had left me alone last night? I'm not sure that I would ever have forgiven her if Jet had left me in the bar alone.

  “Natalie, what happened after I left? Did something bad happen?”

  “No, nothing bad happened.”

  “Then why are you unhappy with me?”

  “Because I didn't know if something bad was going to happen. I have trust issues, obviously. So from now on, don't assume that you know what I need or want. I want to make my own choices. If you leave me alone again, I'm not going to be very happy with you. I hope you can understand that.”

  She nodded, although she still looked a little sad. It was obvious she hadn’t expected this reaction, and maybe even thought I was being unreasonable.

  “I was just trying to be a good friend and help you along with Jet. You guys have been stuck in a perpetual circle for months now. I just feel like you should either give it a shot or let him go. I think you are killing yourself by ending up in his bed all the time, and then running away from him. Don't you see that?”

  “I admit that I have been a bit of a mess lately, but do you blame me?”

  She laughed. “Of course not. Tom put you through the wringer. But that's why I don't want you to focus on Tom―to worry about him or stress. He's not worth it, Natalie. Ignore him and move on with someone else. Either Jet or someone else.”

  “I'm going to be okay.”

  She smiled at me kindly. “I know Natalie. I'm sorry if I hurt you or made you feel like I left you behind. I just knew that if I stayed at the bar you wouldn't have gone home with Jet. You would have come home with me.”

  “Why did you want me to go home with Jet? I've already slept with him a few times and it didn't exactly go well.”

  “So are you going to continue to torture me, or are you going to tell me what happened that night?”

  I laughed. “I'm sorry; I just needed to get all that off my chest.”

  “So ... did you guys sleep together again?”

  “Yes. It was fantastic. Probably because we stayed sober this time.”

  “Th
at's great. I knew Jet would keep you from drinking. How did he do it?”

  I blushed deeply. “He kissed me.”

  Her mouth hung open before she started laughing. “Well, I guess that would do it. Good for him, or actually, good for you. Is he a good kisser?” she asked with a wink.

  I giggled. “Julie, you have no idea. When he kisses me, my head spins. It's intoxicating.”

  “Wow, lucky girl.”

  “Yes, I agree.”

  “So, you guys slept together again, so now what?”

  “Well to be honest, he asked me to be his girlfriend.”

  “You're kidding me! Oh Julie, I like him! So what was your answer?”

  I smiled. “I said yes, of course.”

  “Well, hallelujah, it's about time, girl. You truly have one of the hottest boyfriends on campus.”

  “Yes, I believe you told me that the first time I met him at the bar.”

  She laughed loudly. “Yes, and you were so mean to him that day.”

  “I'm pretty sure he deserved it.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “I think everything is going to be okay.”

  She nodded. “I do too. Just give Jet a solid chance―no bolting, and stay away from Tom. Don't even answer his phone calls.”

  “I won't. Now what about you? Were you dating one of Jet's teammates? What happened there?”

  “Oh, well, saying we were dating is putting it well above what it is. We are talking right now, and that is all. I like him, he's cute. But who knows?”

  “Good, I'm glad. You're far better at taking things slow than I am.”

  “Maybe. But I think you have something real with Jet―something genuine, so in the end, that's all that matters.”

  I smiled, believing Julie, and hoping that what she said was actually true.

  Chapter Four

  Jet

  I knocked on Natalie's door, hardly able to wait for her to open it. Due to our schedules, we hadn't been able to see each other for a few days, and it had almost killed me. I played it cool with her, of course, when we talked on the phone or sent text messages to each other, but it bothered me that I couldn't be with her, or near her. When she finally called to ask if I could come and finish the next drawing, I couldn't get over there fast enough.

  When she swung open the door she was wearing tight jeans that showed off her ass, and an off-the- shoulder sweater that looked so soft I wanted to melt into it.

  “You look great.”

  “Oh, Jet, I just threw these things on. But thank you.”

  I walked up to her and kissed her softly. She didn't pull away; instead, she sort of melted into the kiss, and I felt a stir. I would have to try to control myself, at least until the drawing was completed. My tongue slipped into her mouth, and she accepted it. That kiss started softly, but quickly turned into a make out session right at her door.

  “Hi Jet, it's nice to see you again.” I was startled by a sound behind Natalie and we separated. Embarrassed, I realized that Julie had been sitting at the kitchen table the whole time. Natalie giggled as she turned around and headed to the kitchen. By the looks of things, the two of them had been sharing a bottle of wine. Natalie took another glass from the cupboard and poured me a glass. I headed her way, watching her ass the entire time.

  “Sorry about that, Julie. Usually we are alone during Natalie's project.”

  “Oh, rest assured, you will be. I'm heading out. I get shy when boys start taking off their clothes.”

  Natalie laughed. “Yeah, right,” she said.

  I sat down at the table and Natalie slid a folder over in my direction.

  “I forgot to show you these the last time you were here,” she said. She sat down beside me and waited as I opened the folder. It was filled with black and white images from the one and only fight that she attended. They were incredible―crisp images that stopped time. I relived the fight through those images as I went through them, one after another.

  “Wow, Natalie, these are astounding, I've never seen my fights captured like this before. Usually some stock photographer is there, but it's like you can see how we felt. You can even see the stress in Coach's face. I love these. You really are talented.”

  “Yup, that's my girl,” Julie said as she got up from the table.

  I continued flipping through the images until I came to the last one. I stared at it in awe; it was my spinning back fist that had won me that fight. She had stopped the action at just the right time, when my fist had made contact with my opponent’s face. It was one of those legendary photos that you usually only see with celebrities.

  “Oh my God, this is an amazing photo. There are just no words for it. What a night that was, and you captured my win perfectly. How did you catch it at just the right moment?”

  She laughed. “Well, you have to be ready for anything. When you're watching a live event, you never know what's going to happen, and really, anything can happen. So you can't be too relaxed when taking pictures. You have to be at the ready, and you have to be fast, so that when that moment happens you don't hesitate, not even for a second, and that's how you capture moments like that. Luck really has a lot to do with it.”

  “I don't know if luck has much to do with it, Natalie. I mean yeah, it could be a lucky shot, but how many of your classmates got the same shot, or even close?”

  She smiled as she looked at me. “None.”

  I chuckled. “Well, there you go, it’s not luck; you have a gift.”

  She leaned into me for a kiss, and I tasted her sweet lips again. Everything about her was soft and smooth, and I wanted to touch her all over again.

  “Okay, well that's my cue to leave.” Julie laughed as she grabbed her purse off the counter and headed out the door. “You two love birds make sure you get some work done tonight.” Natalie laughed and I waved Julie off.

  “So, beautiful, dare I ask what the drawing is going to be this time?”

  “Just you and your boxer briefs, I'm afraid. Everything else goes.”

  The way she was looking at me got me excited, and I knew she was going to get a little more than she bargained for when I took off my pants.

  “You can have these photos, by the way. I have copies in my portfolio, but you should have some as well.”

  “Really? Thanks, that's great. Coach is going to love them.”

  “Good, I'm glad. Now get your but over there and let’s do this.”

  I laughed as I grabbed my wine and headed into the other room. She already had her easel set up and was ready for the drawing. I pulled off my shirt and unbuttoned my jeans. I slid them down and removed my socks as well. Her eyes went right to my cock, which was pushing tight against my shorts. The moment was too erotic for me; I couldn’t help being rock hard. All I wanted at that moment was to be inside Natalie, and I was being forced to undress in front of her. I had the urge to bend her over the easel and release the tension that was building inside my body.

  She blushed a deep red, and tried to meet my gaze. I noticed she had a hard time doing it. I thought it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen. She tried to focus on placing her paper where it needed to go, and getting her pencils ready.

  She began the drawing, and I watched her as she focused on the task before her. Her eyes fell on my cock far more often than I believed was necessary in order to complete the drawing. It was interesting to watch her zone completely out as she turned lines into the human form. We took a break once she had the initial outline done, and I went to have a look. She was sitting down at the easel and I looked over her shoulder.

  “Are you going to draw me hard?”

  She gasped as I said it, and she whispered, “I'm going to draw what I see, Jet.”

  I started kissing the back of her neck and she moaned as my hands found their way to her breasts and I squeezed them. Her nipples were hard and I squeezed them between my fingers. She groaned and it made my cock push harder against my shorts. She got up from the easel and turned to me.
We embraced immediately, and my mouth was on hers instantly. We kissed passionately as my fingers fumbled with her jeans. I needed her now, not later, and I was going to have her. She didn't try to stop me when I pulled her jeans down, allowing her to step out of them. I touched her pussy through her panties and won another moan. She was wet right through her panties, and it just about drove me nuts. I pulled her shirt over her head and took off her bra. My mouth found her nipple and I sucked on it hard. Her head went back, and I knew that if I didn't have her now I would lose my mind. I slid down my boxers and turned her around bending her right over the easel. He bum was high in the air, and that image was burned into my head forever from that moment on.

  “Oh, Jet,” she moaned.

  I plunged inside her as she cried out. I pumped her pussy, loving how moist and hot she was. She continued to cry out in pleasure and I closed my eyes every time my cock slid deep into her. Oh yes, this was good. Probably my favorite time ever. This girl was just making every one of my fantasies come true. I continued pumping inside her faster until I could feel her squeezing me from inside. I knew she was about to orgasm.

  “Are you going to cum, baby?”

  She couldn't even respond. The pleasure just burst through her body as she cried out, her body shuddering beneath me. I filled her up with me right after, and almost collapsed on top of her from my own orgasm. God, she felt incredible.

  I bent over her still inside and I kissed her back over, and over again. “I needed that, sweetheart. I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too, Jet.”

  I pulled out from her and we both went to the bathroom to clean up before we resumed the project. My cock was still tight within my boxers and I felt I could go round two if we didn't have the drawing to finish.